A fixture of teatime schedules since the 1990s, Channel 4 is moving The Simpsons to E4 from January 2025. But future on Sky unclear.
- New deal between Disney and Channel 4 will see Simpsons boxsets available on Channel 4 Streaming.
- Meanwhile, in early January, Sky takes The Simpsons out of early primetime.
BBC Two, Channel 4 and now E4: The Simpsons is changing channels from early 2025 as Channel 4 announces a new deal with Disney that will keep the animated series on free-to-air television.
E4 will commence showing The Simpsons in a regular weeknight slot in January, beginning with season 32.
As part of the latest deal, from season 36, The Simpsons will be made available on Channel 4’s streaming platform as a boxset for a limited time after they have their initial broadcast on E4. Alongside this, a selection of library episodes will also be available to stream.
This contradicts reports in outlets including MailOnline, which asserted that “instead of tuning in on terrestrial TV, Simpsons fans will now have to watch the show on Channel 4’s online streaming platform”. E4, as a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) channel will still show free-to-air episodes before they go on Channel 4 Streaming.
But Streaming service Disney+ will remain the place to see new episodes first. Disney+ also offers subscribers access to the back catalogue of Simpsons episodes.
Less of The Simpsons on Sky?
The Simpsons‘ original TV home was on Sky One, long before BBC Two and later Channel 4 acquired rights to show older episodes.
Following Sky’s takeover by Comcast and the sale of 21st Century Fox to Disney, The Simpsons and Sky are no longer linked by a common owner.
Sky lost the rights to show new episodes first when Disney+ launched in the UK, but has continued to show episodes on Sky Showcase, which replaced Sky One.
Notably, The Simpsons is the only major show on Sky Showcase that isn’t already shown on one of Sky’s other TV channels.
Sky has recently started showing fewer episodes. For the week commencing 30th December, The Simpsons disappears out of early primetime schedules. Episodes move to earlier in the day. And on 2nd January 2025, Sky Showcase will go a whole day without The Simpsons in the schedule at all.
Sky hasn’t commented on the show’s future with the broadcaster.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Disney